Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz on Friday slammed an explosive National Enquirer story alleging he had a string of extramarital affairs — and blamed GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump for dishing the dirt.

On the stump in Wisconsin on Friday, Cruz — who appeared with his wife, Heidi — charged Trump and his "henchmen" with planting a "garbage" story about his supposed philandering.

In a statement Friday afternoon, Trump denied responsibility for the rumors — but pointedly referred to other sex scandals on which the Enquirer had gotten it right.

"I have no idea whether or not the cover story about Ted Cruz in this week's issue of the National Enquirer is true or not, but I had absolutely nothing to do with it, did not know about it, and have not, as yet, read it. I have nothing to do with the National Enquirer and unlike Lyin' Ted Cruz I do not surround myself with political hacks and henchman and then pretend total innocence," Trump said.

"Ted Cruz's problem with the National Enquirer is his and his alone, and while they were right about O.J. Simpson, John Edwards, and many others, I certainly hope they are not right about Lyin' Ted Cruz," he went on. "I look forward to spending the week in Wisconsin, winning the Republican nomination and ultimately the Presidency in order to Make America Great Again. "

The background: "Private detectives are digging into at least five affairs Ted Cruz supposedly had," the supermarket tabloid reported. "The leaked details are an attempt to destroy what's left of his White House campaign!"

@tedcruz says the National Enquirer story is "garbage" and "complete and utter lies." Says it comes from @realDonaldTrump

One of the women alluded to in the story, Trump spokeswoman Katrina Pierson, also trashed the Enquirer story on Twitter.

What's worse? People who actually believe the trash in tabloids, or the ones who know it's false &spread it anyway? #stupidity on all levels

Of course the National Enquirer story is 100% FALSE!!! I only speak to myself, however. Carry on...

Amanda Carpenter, a CNN analyst and former Cruz staffer who was widely viewed as one of the women referenced in the Enquirer piece, called the story a fabrication during a heated television appearance.

"What's out there is tabloid trash," Carpenter said, per Salon. "You should be ashamed for spreading this kind of smut. Trump supporters should be held to account for it."